The Messinian Salinity Crisis was a significant geological event that occurred around 5.96 to 5.33 million years ago during the late Miocene epoch. It involved the dramatic evaporation of the Mediterranean Sea, leading to the formation of thick salt deposits as the sea became isolated from the world's oceans. This event drastically altered marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the region. The crisis is believed to have been triggered by tectonic activity that closed the Strait of Gibraltar, preventing water exchange with the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the Mediterranean Sea's water levels dropped significantly, creating a series of desiccated basins. The event had lasting impacts on ocean circulation and climate patterns in the surrounding areas.